TROY – The Sun Belt Conference champion Troy Trojans took their initial step toward defending their title Tuesday afternoon as they hit the practice field for the first time of spring camp.

Due to NCAA rules, Troy spent the two-plus hour practice in just helmets and shorts as it worked through a wide variety of drills and situations. The Trojans are back in helmets and shorts on Thursday afternoon before going in shells on Saturday.

“I thought our guys had a lot of energy today and this is the best we’ve looked physically in the four years I’ve been here,” head coach Neal Brown said. “Lot of mistakes – we’ve got a lot of young guys and several guys who are going to be out or very limited in the spring. I thought we flew around.”

Troy's Kaleb Barker(Photo: Troy Sports Information)

Junior Kaleb Barker and redshirt sophomore Sawyer Smith took center stage for the first time in their careers as the battle for the starting quarterback job is underway.

“The team has a lot of confidence in both of them,” Brown said. “Sawyer got a lot of game repetitions two years ago and Kaleb last year got a lot of game repetitions. We were intentional about playing them early in some nonconference games and they had every snap in spring practice last season.”

“Competition can only bring out the best in somebody and hopefully both of us push each other the whole time,” Smith said. “We both have a competitive mindset and I believe we’re both going to be better for it.”

Troy's Sawyer Smith(Photo: Troy Sports Information)

“I think it will motivate us both to work harder and it already has this offseason,” Barker said. “I know I’ve gotten a lot better both physically and mentally and we’ve just been pushing each other. Whoever comes out on top will be the best player and will push the team to where it needs to be.”

The Trojans set a school FBS record with 11 wins en route to their sixth Sun Belt Conference championship and a New Orleans Bowl title in 2017. Troy's 21 victories over the past two seasons are the eighth most in the country and the Trojans will carry the nation's fourth-longest active winning streak of seven games into the season opener against Boise State.

Season tickets are now on sale for the 2018 season at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Troy plays host to six home games during the 2018 campaign, including visits from Boise State, Georgia State and Louisiana.

Season ticket packages start as low as $60 and all ticket prices are identical to those from 2017. Fans who renew or purchase their tickets by April 27 will receive numerous incentives including a replica Troy football Sun Belt championship ring.